Complete Stats Comparison of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal

Here you have a complete side-by-side comparison of all the stats recorded by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal during their NBA careers. First we show you a summary of who had better numbers on each statistical category and then we compare in detail the performance of each of these stars in the regular season and the Playoffs, both in total stats and averages per game.

Player comparisons:
Career comparison / Season by season / Scoring / Stats / Stats Rankings

This in-depth comparison includes all the numbers, if you prefer a simplified version of this analysis with only the basic statistics, you will find it at the career comparison of these two NBA stars.

On this page we compare:

Who has better stats? Main stats / All stats
Regular Season: Averages / Totals / Pecentages
Playoffs: Averages / Totals / Pecentages

Main Stats Summary:

Who has better stats in the Regular Season?
Points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalYears
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar5
(points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks)		5
(points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks)		20
seasons
Shaquille O'Neal0
0
19
seasons
Who has better stats in the Playoffs?
Points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalYears
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar3
(assists, steals, blocks)		4
(points, assists, steals, blocks)		18
Playoffs
Shaquille O'Neal1
(rebounds)		1
(rebounds)		17
Playoffs
they are tied1
(points)

All Stats Summary:

Who has better stats in the Regular Season?
All the stats
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalBetter Percentage
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar8
stats		11
stats		2
stats
Shaquille O'Neal2
stats		2
stats		1
stat
they are tied2
stats		1
stat
Who has better stats in the Playoffs?
All the stats
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalBetter Percentage
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar6
stats		8
stats		1
stat
Shaquille O'Neal4
stats		5
stats		1
stat
they are tied2
stats		1
stat		1
stat

- "Better Career Total" includes games and years played as stats.

- For turnovers and personal fouls, lower numbers are better.

- Field goal, free-throw and three-point attempts are not included on these tables since it can't be said that higher is better.

Now, lets compare all their stats in detail, one by one...

Notes: Offensive and defensive rebounds, blocks and steals started to be recorded in 1973-74. Turnovers started to be recorded in 1977-78. Three-point shots were implemented in 1979-80.
(*) = some years in his career don't have the stat.

Comparison of Stats Per Game in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Regular Season, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had better averages in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks than Shaquille O'Neal.

Who had higher averages in the Regular Season?

- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had better averages in points (+0.9), field goals made (+0.8), defensive rebounds (+0.2), total rebounds (+0.3), assists (+1.1), steals (+0.3) and blocks (+0.3)
- Shaquille O'Neal had better averages in free throws made (+0.6) and offensive rebounds (+1.1)
-
- Shaquille O'Neal had higher (worst) average in personal fouls (+0.4)
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had higher average in field goals attempted (+2.0)
- Shaquille O'Neal had higher average in free throws attempted (+3.3)

NBA Regular Season, Career Stats Per Game

Points
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 24.6
+0.9
Shaquille O'Neal 23.7
Field Goals Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 10.2
+0.8
Shaquille O'Neal 9.4
Field Goals Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 18.1
+2.0
Shaquille O'Neal 16.1
3-Pointers Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 0.0
*
Shaquille O'Neal 0.0
3-Pointers Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 0.0
*
Shaquille O'Neal 0.0
Free Throws Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 4.3
Shaquille O'Neal 4.9
+0.6
Free Throws Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 6.0
Shaquille O'Neal 9.3
+3.3
Offensive Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2.4
*
Shaquille O'Neal 3.5
+1.1
Defensive Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 7.6
+0.2 *
Shaquille O'Neal 7.4
Total Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 11.2
+0.3
Shaquille O'Neal 10.9
Assists
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 3.6
+1.1
Shaquille O'Neal 2.5
Steals
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 0.9
+0.3 *
Shaquille O'Neal 0.6
Blocks
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2.6
+0.3 *
Shaquille O'Neal 2.3
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2.7
*
Shaquille O'Neal 2.7
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 3.0
Shaquille O'Neal 3.4
+0.4

Comparison of Totals Stats in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Regular Season, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had more total points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks than Shaquille O'Neal.

Who had more total stats in the Regular Season?

- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played more years (+1) and games (+353), and had more points (+9,791), field goals made (+4,507), free throws made (+777), defensive rebounds (+504), total rebounds (+4,341), assists (+2,634), steals (+421) and blocks (+457)
- Shaquille O'Neal had more offensive rebounds (+1,234)
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had more personal fouls (+511)
- Shaquille O'Neal had more turnovers (+783)
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had more field goals attempted (+8,850)
- Shaquille O'Neal had more 3-pointers attempted (+4) and free throws attempted (+1,948)

NBA Regular Season Stats, Career Totals

Years
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 20
+1
Shaquille O'Neal 19
Games
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1,560
+353
Shaquille O'Neal 1,207
Points
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 38,387
+9,791
Shaquille O'Neal 28,596
Field Goals Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 15,837
+4,507
Shaquille O'Neal 11,330
Field Goals Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 28,307
+8,850
Shaquille O'Neal 19,457
3-Pointers Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1
*
Shaquille O'Neal 1
3-Pointers Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 18
*
Shaquille O'Neal 22
+4
Free Throws Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 6,712
+777
Shaquille O'Neal 5,935
Free Throws Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 9,304
Shaquille O'Neal 11,252
+1,948
Offensive Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2,975
*
Shaquille O'Neal 4,209
+1,234
Defensive Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 9,394
+504 *
Shaquille O'Neal 8,890
Total Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 17,440
+4,341
Shaquille O'Neal 13,099
Assists
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 5,660
+2,634
Shaquille O'Neal 3,026
Steals
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1,160
+421 *
Shaquille O'Neal 739
Blocks
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 3,189
+457 *
Shaquille O'Neal 2,732
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2,527
*
Shaquille O'Neal 3,310
+783
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 4,657
+511
Shaquille O'Neal 4,146

Comparison of Percentages in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Regular Season, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had better 3-point percentage and free throw percentage while Shaquille O'Neal had better field goal percentage.

NBA Regular Season Stats, Career Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 55.9%
Shaquille O'Neal 58.2%
+2.3
3-Point Percentage
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 5.6%
+1.1 *
Shaquille O'Neal 4.5%
Free Throw Percentage
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 72.1%
+19.4
Shaquille O'Neal 52.7%

Comparison of Stats Per Game in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Playoffs, out of the five main statistical categories, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had better averages in assists, steals and blocks while Shaquille O'Neal had better average in rebounds. They are tied in points.

Who had higher averages in the Playoffs?

- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had better averages in field goals made (+0.5), assists (+0.5), steals (+0.5) and blocks (+0.3)
- Shaquille O'Neal had better averages in free throws made (+1.0), offensive rebounds (+1.4), defensive rebounds (+1.1) and total rebounds (+1.1)
-
- Shaquille O'Neal had higher (worst) averages in turnovers (+0.4) and personal fouls (+0.2)
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had higher average in field goals attempted (+1.9)
- Shaquille O'Neal had higher average in free throws attempted (+4.7)

NBA Playoffs, Career Stats Per Game

Points
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 24.3
Shaquille O'Neal 24.3
Field Goals Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 9.9
+0.5
Shaquille O'Neal 9.4
Field Goals Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 18.7
+1.9
Shaquille O'Neal 16.8
3-Pointers Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 0.0
*
Shaquille O'Neal 0.0
3-Pointers Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 0.0
*
Shaquille O'Neal 0.0
Free Throws Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 4.4
Shaquille O'Neal 5.4
+1.0
Free Throws Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 6.0
Shaquille O'Neal 10.7
+4.7
Offensive Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2.6
*
Shaquille O'Neal 4.0
+1.4
Defensive Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 6.5
*
Shaquille O'Neal 7.6
+1.1
Total Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 10.5
Shaquille O'Neal 11.6
+1.1
Assists
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 3.2
+0.5
Shaquille O'Neal 2.7
Steals
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1.0
+0.5 *
Shaquille O'Neal 0.5
Blocks
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2.4
+0.3 *
Shaquille O'Neal 2.1
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2.6
*
Shaquille O'Neal 3.0
+0.4
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 3.4
Shaquille O'Neal 3.6
+0.2

Comparison of Totals Stats in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Playoffs, out of the five main statistical categories, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had more total points, assists, steals and blocks while Shaquille O'Neal had more total rebounds.

Who had more total stats in the Playoffs?

- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played more years (+1) and games (+21), and had more points (+512), field goals made (+315), assists (+185), steals (+72) and blocks (+17)
- Shaquille O'Neal had more free throws made (+118), offensive rebounds (+361), defensive rebounds (+369) and total rebounds (+27)
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had more personal fouls (+28)
- Shaquille O'Neal had more turnovers (+202)
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had more field goals attempted (+795) and 3-pointers attempted (+4)
- Shaquille O'Neal had more free throws attempted (+898)

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Totals

Years
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 18
+1
Shaquille O'Neal 17
Games
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 237
+21
Shaquille O'Neal 216
Points
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 5,762
+512
Shaquille O'Neal 5,250
Field Goals Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2,356
+315
Shaquille O'Neal 2,041
Field Goals Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 4,422
+795
Shaquille O'Neal 3,627
3-Pointers Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 0
*
Shaquille O'Neal 0
3-Pointers Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 4
+4 *
Shaquille O'Neal 0
Free Throws Made
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1,050
Shaquille O'Neal 1,168
+118
Free Throws Attempted
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1,419
Shaquille O'Neal 2,317
+898
Offensive Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 505
*
Shaquille O'Neal 866
+361
Defensive Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1,273
*
Shaquille O'Neal 1,642
+369
Total Rebounds
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2,481
Shaquille O'Neal 2,508
+27
Assists
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 767
+185
Shaquille O'Neal 582
Steals
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 189
+72 *
Shaquille O'Neal 117
Blocks
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 476
+17 *
Shaquille O'Neal 459
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 447
*
Shaquille O'Neal 649
+202
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 797
+28
Shaquille O'Neal 769

Comparison of Percentages in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Playoffs, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had better free throw percentage while Shaquille O'Neal had better field goal percentage. They are tied in 3-point percentage.

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 53.3%
Shaquille O'Neal 56.3%
+3.0
3-Point Percentage
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 0.0%
*
Shaquille O'Neal 0%
Free Throw Percentage
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 74.0%
+23.6
Shaquille O'Neal 50.4%
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